Martin will return

May 12, 2012|TOM NOIE | Tribune Staff Writer

Robert Franklin, South Bend Trib, South Bend Tribune

Scott Martin's wait is over, his direction for next fall determined.

Finally.

Voted the team's most valuable player this past season, Martin has been granted by the NCAA a sixth year of eligibility with the Notre Dame men's basketball team, a source close to the Irish program confirmed to the Tribune late Friday.

Notre Dame released news of Martin's return later on its website.

"We're thrilled in the NCAA's decision to grant Scott a sixth year of eligibility," Irish coach Mike Brey said in a statement released by the university.

"Scott is a great example for college basketball, and we're excited that he gets an opportunity to play one more season in a Notre Dame uniform."

Martin was unavailable for comment, but did offer a comment via Twitter.

Valparaiso native first started the process of applying for a sixth season with the NCAA.

The NCAA repeatedly asked Martin for more information regarding his case. A decision was expected as soon as mid March, then early April, then late April.

"I'm very hopeful," Martin said last month. "You have to go through the whole procedure and make sure everything checks out."

As April ended, Brey became skeptical, and even a little frustrated, about the entire drawn-out process.

"They (the NCAA) don't tell you which way the wind is blowing," Brey said.

On Friday, it rolled in the right direction as far as the Irish were concerned.

Martin was eligible to apply for a sixth season since he sat out the required one year (2008-09) after transferring from Purdue, and then missed his first season at Notre Dame (2009-10) with a left knee injury. Soon after the injury, Brey and Martin downplayed any notion that Martin would seek a sixth season.

One of the reasons Martin left Purdue for Notre Dame was to help his father, also named Scott, deal with a rare form of eye cancer.

While sitting out his transfer season, Martin often was dismissed from practices so he could accompany his father to Chicago for medical treatments.

It was that reason that allowed Martin to actively pursue a sixth season.

Former Irish forward Tim Abromaitis' appeal to return for a sixth year was denied last week by the NCAA.

Like Martin,. Abromaitis missed a season (this past one) after suffering a serious knee injury. Abromaitis also sat out his sophomore season to preserve a year of eligibility.

Since he did so with no specific reason -- health issue, family issue, etc.) the NCAA did not grant his additional season.

Martin's return means Notre Dame likely will return its entire starting lineup from a team that finished 22-12, 13-5 in the Big East last season. That included a school-record, nine-game conference win streak.

The Irish likely will enter the 2012-13 season ranked among the nation's Top 25 and could be one of a handful of schools (Louisville, Syracuse) that will be favored to chase a Big East championship.

Martin averaged 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 34.7 minutes per game, but was valuable for more than any points or rebounds he offered. He led the team in charges taken, was the team's best help and position defender and grew deep into his role as a vocal, confident team captain as the season progressed.